Question

a bicyclist rides forward with a positive acceleration. how would her acceleration be different if she had less mass? a. her acceleration would decrease. b. her acceleration would be zero. c. her acceleration would increase. d. her acceleration would stay the same.

Explanation:

According to Newton's second law of motion, \(F = ma\) (where \(F\) is force, \(m\) is mass, and \(a\) is acceleration). If the force \(F\) (assumed to be constant, for example, the force exerted by the bicyclist on the pedals) remains the same, and the mass \(m\) decreases, then from the formula \(a=\frac{F}{m}\), the acceleration \(a\) will increase. For instance, if \(F = 10\space N\), \(m_1= 5\space kg\), then \(a_1=\frac{10}{5}=2\space m/s^{2}\); if \(m_2 = 2\space kg\), then \(a_2=\frac{10}{2}=5\space m/s^{2}\).

Answer:

C. Her acceleration would increase.